An astonishing and heartbreaking true story of a family destroyed by layers of lies, persecution and hidden secrets. Philomena Lee's illegitimate son was forcibly adopted and sent to America from Ireland in the 1950s. He grew up to become a leading US lawyer and Republican politician; but hid his homosexuality as he knew it would destroy his career. When he contracted AIDS and knew he was dying, he returned to Ireland to try and trace his mother (who had been searching for him for 50 years), a desperate quest which left a legacy that was to unfold with unexpected consequences for all involved. A compelling narrative of human love and loss.